5 Easy Recipes For Thrifty Cooking

Cooking on a budget may have you looking for 5 easy recipes for thrifty cooking. Whether you are a college student, cooking for a large family, or just looking for recipes to cut your grocery budget, these easy thrifty cooking recipes are just what you are looking for. These recipes are all easy one-pot meals that are thrifty and budget friendly.

1.Baked Cheeseburger Macaroni

1 pound hamburger

1/2 pound macaroni or other pasta, cooked

1 onion, diced

4 TBS butter

1 pound cheese (your favorite cheese is fine)

1 Cup milk

Hamburger. Brown hamburger in a skillet on medium heat. Add onion when burger is about half way cooked. Once browned remove from heat and drain any excess grease. Set aside.

Combine. Mix hamburger, cheese sauce, and pasta together in a large bowl. Transfer to a 9×13 pan or comparable sized casserole dish.

Bake. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes to an hour. Cooking uncovered will give you a crunchy cheese layer on top. Cover with foil if you prefer not to have a crunchy layer. Remove from oven and cool fifteen minutes before serving.

2. Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole

1 head fresh broccoli or 2 bags of frozen

1 pound cheese, shredded

1 can cream of mushroom soup

4 Cups cooked rice

2 TBS oil

1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces

Chicken. In large pan heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until there isn’t any pink. Usually about six minutes or so. Set aside when cooked.

Broccoli. If using fresh broccoli steam for 5 minutes. Plunge into ice water and drain. If using frozen broccoli, thaw completely.

Mix. In a large bowl mix together cream of mushroom soup and shredded cheese. Once blended add broccoli, chicken, and rice. Transfer to a casserole dish.

Bake. Heat oven to 350° and cook for 1 hour. Cover with foil if top starts to dry out. Let set for ten minutes before serving.

3. Smoked Sausage and Pepper Penne

1 pound Penne, cooked al dente

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

2 roasted peppers, sliced (use jarred)

1 large onion, sliced

3 TBS olive oil

1 small can tomato sauce

1 14oz can diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes diced if in season

Smoked Sausage. Add oil to a large frying pan on medium heat. Add smoked sausage and onion. Let cook for about fifteen minutes.